2025 Honda NT1100 DCT First Ride Review
The NT1100 DCT is what happens when Honda takes the Africa Twin’s heart, drops it into a road-first chassis, and prioritizes comfort like it’s a religion. It’s built for riders who want real wind protection, a plush seat, and effortless passing power — without the full-size footprint (or price) of a Gold Wing.
- Goated comfort: wide plush seat + big adjustable windscreen = effortless long days.
- Africa Twin heart: the 1084cc parallel twin is punchy, characterful, and sounds great.
- Surprising agility: for 547 lbs, it tips in easily thanks to wide bars and a low center of gravity.
- Clunky low-speed DCT: in standard Drive, it can feel hesitant and “luggy” in slow city moves.
- Convoluted UI: the dual-screen setup makes simple changes (like traction control) harder than it should be.
- Soft front brakes: stopping power is fine, but lever feel is spongy for spirited riding.
Performance Highlights
The NT1100 proves sport touring doesn’t have to mean “sleepy.” The engine has real torque on tap, so passing is effortless — especially in Sport mode where the DCT wakes up and holds gears longer. Once leaned over, it feels planted and stable, encouraging you to take the scenic route instead of the straight one.
40–80 pull: “medium speed” in DCT Sport mode — not a rocket ship, but plenty for real-world touring passes.
Rider Experience & Tech
Ergonomics are the headline. At 5'10", the reach to the ground is easy and the wide handlebars give a commanding, relaxed posture. Wind protection is excellent, and minor vibrations through the pegs/bars stay well below fatigue level.
The tech list is strong: Apple CarPlay, cruise control, and a touchscreen TFT. The tradeoff is usability — the interface feels like a maze, and the switchgear is crowded enough that it’s easy to hit the wrong control (like catching a downshift paddle when you meant to signal).
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 69/100, the NT1100 DCT lands as a calculated, comfortable, high-value sport tourer. It’s world-class for rider comfort and versatility, and the engine gives it enough personality to stay interesting — it’s just held back by a clunky UI and some low-speed DCT weirdness in traffic.
Who it’s for: riders stepping down from big ADVs who want a road-focused tourer that’s easy to live with and tech-forward.
Who should skip: clutch-lever purists, or anyone who gets annoyed by complicated menu systems and crowded switchgear.